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FAQs – Questions and answers on electromobility

Electromobility is more relevant than ever – a technological revolution in transportation that has already begun and will completely penetrate the market in the coming years. The technology behind electromobility is completely different from the one used to generate electricity with an internal combustion engine. In addition, there are also various technological possibilities for implementing electromobility. In the following, we give you answers to the most important questions that arise when a vehicle or ship is equipped with an electric drive.

If you should not find an answer to your question in the following list, we would be pleased to answer it directly.

Electrification of ships

What are the advantages of diesel-electric ship drives?

Different fuels which could damage the motor during fuel change are no longer required.

Compliance with the MARPOL limiting values and therefore the ship can sail

Retrofitting of older ships to diesel-electric hybrids is no problem

Crossing all protected areas (such as the Antarctic) is no problem

25% fuel savings

Extremely high efficiency

Ideal speed range

Increased motor reliability

Fast current control with „diesel-electric power management“

Completely emission free and silent

A hugely improved maneuverability and better position holding at speeds from 20 rpm upwards

A long-lasting and very low maintenance design is possible

High optimization of consumption, especially in the area of on-board supply system

How economical are diesel-electric ships?

The "multiplication effect ", the costs for follow-up projects are greatly reduced

Optimum fuel use

Optimized operating time for diesel motor(s)

Minimum standstill times for the drive systems

Reduced maintenance costs

What are the emission regulations for ships?

Outside the ECAs (Emission Control Areas) ship fuel may not contain more than 3.5% sulphur. In reality most ships use fuel containing 2.5% Sulphur on average. 1st January 2015 a new threshold of 0.1% Sulphur in all types of fuels. In Californian coastal waters this has been in effect since 1st January 2014).

From 2016 on stricter threshold values are in effect for nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the ECAs, according to MARPOL Annes VI (Tier III), and also equivalent to Tier II only for ships built after 1st January 2016. The threshold values are between 2.0 and 3.4 g/kWh, approximately one third to a quarter of the values in effect outside the ECAs.

From 1st January 2020 ship fuel may contain no more than 0.5% sulphur whether outside or inside the ECAs. The EU is planning even stricter regulations: within EU waters (12 sea miles from the coast) the 0.5% limit will be in effect from 2020, regardless of the ECAs. Exceptions will only be possible for ships that can prove in individual cases that they could not tank the required fuel on their route.

What are the advantages of LNG-electric ship drives? (liquid gas – electric)

The global gas reserves are larger than those for oil. This is reflected in the price

LNG is cooled to minus 162 °C and is therefore liquid. This reduces the volume considerably and it can thus be transported in tankers over long distances.

LNG consists of methane and could reduce the CO2 emissions by 30% as well as the emissions of Sulphur dioxide, fine dust and nitrogen oxide by more than 90%.

The efficiency is 15% better than diesel-electric drives.

What are the disadvantages of LNG-electric ship drives? (liquid gas – electric)

With our product portfolio we can support you and your company on the way into the future of the construction industry. The VECTOPOWER VP600 mobile inverter has already been successfully integrated in systems such as the SILEO battery electric passenger bus and the Opal sailing ship.

Our electric mobility team will find the most suitable solution for your project.

What are the advantages of electric hybrid construction machines?

Combine the best of both worlds. Electric hybrid construction machines have several decisive advantages over conventional systems:

Lower energy consumption at the same power

Combustion engine runs in the speed range of the best efficiency

Smaller catalytic converters for cleaning emissions

Redundancies

Acceleration is up to 20% faster

With our product portfolio we can support you and your company on the way into the future of the construction industry. The VECTOPOWER VP600 mobile inverter has already been successfully integrated in a hybrid crawler excavator saving up to 25% energy with each movement of the power shovel. In the area of small commercial vehicles a system called ELENA was developed which distinguishes itself with numerous possibilities for use.

Our electric mobility team will find the most suitable solution for your project.

How intensive is the maintenance of fully electric construction machines?

Maintenance of fully electric construction machines is not more costly than for those with conventional drives. Fewer moving parts and reduced vibrations mean less wear and longer maintenance intervals. This in turn means fewer standstill times and faster amortisation for the machine.The electric brake on fully electric construction machines is, as a rule, maintenance-free and simultaneously ensures feedback of braking energy into the system. With ARADEX systems it is possible to design and operate ultra-low-maintenance asynchronous motors. These motors are less expensive to purchase, are sturdy and offer a higher overload security.

We support you on your journey into the future of the construction industry with our services as well as our products. The VECTOPOWER VP600 mobile inverter has already been successfully integrated in a hybrid crawler excavator saving up to 25% energy with each movement of the power shovel. In the area of small commercial vehicles a system called ELENA was developed which distinguishes itself with numerous possibilities for use.

Our electric mobility team will find the most suitable solution for your project.

How are environmental protection and fully electrified construction machines compatible?

Less pollution of humans and environment by emissions or noise. The CO² balance is greatly reduced and the fine dust particles that have been in focus in the past few years are practically non-existent with a full electrification. The fine dust formalities are a vital part of public procurement laws regarding construction services with particle emission limitations for vehicles and construction machines in many German cities such as Berlin and Bremen.

Since 2015 all municipalities are obliged to keep to the thresholds for harmful materials. Especially burgeoning cities such as Stuttgart or Munich have had to resort to additional methods in order to reduce atmospheric pollution due to nitrogen dioxide and fine dust. However, fully electric machines are not only beneficial as far as zero emissions are concerned, the municipalities and cities profit also from less threats to the environment from oil leaks or other dangerous materials.

If you have further questions to which you would appreciate an answer, please do not hesitate to write to us. Our sales department will be happy to help you.